articles

selected publications

Sommer Consulting Team Members have been the lead or contributing author of several peer-reviewed and industry articles, including:

“Market Research – Health Literacy’s Missing Ramp” – 2022 – American Journal of Health Education

“An Innovative Health Literacy Approach Designed to Improve Patient Understanding of Medication Labeling” – 2021 – Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science

“Clearly Better – Study underlies the importance of clarity in doctor-patient communication” – 2020 – Quirk’s Marketing Research Review

“The Silent Majority: Limited Health Literacy Participants Missing from Market Research” – 2018 – HLRP: Health Literacy Research
and Practice

“Patient counseling materials: The effect of patient health literacy on the comprehension of printed prescription drug information” –
2018 – Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy

“An Incomplete Diagnosis: Low health literacy and its impact on market research” – 2017 – Quirk’s Marketing Research Review

“Prototype modeling vs. Item response theory – A paradigm shift for measurement professionals” – 2013 – The Qualitative Report

“Language Symmetry: A Force Behind Persuasion” – 2012 – The Qualitative Report

“The Four Key Factors That Drive Successful Decisions” – 2010 – The Qualitative Report

RECOGNITION

Select Awards

Sommer Consulting Team Members have been recognized for their outstanding commitment, excellence, and industry contributions.

  • 2021 Diverse Partner of the Year (Woman-Owned) – Merck Power of Inclusion Awards
  • 2020 Health Literacy Award for Research – IHA (Institute for Healthcare Advancement)
  • 2018 Health Literacy Award for Research – IHA (Institute for Healthcare Advancement)
  • 2017 Circle of Excellence Award – PMRG (Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group)
  • 2017 Outstanding Contributions to the Health Literacy Initiative – PMRG (Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group)
  • 2016 Health Literacy Award for Research – IHA (Institute for Healthcare Advancement)
  • 2016 Best Poster Award – PMRG (Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group)
  • 2014 Best Poster Award – PMRG (Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group)
  • 2008 Bronze Prize for Consumer Decision-Making – 15th Annual National Health Information Awards
Select Speaking Engagements

Our Team Members’ perspectives are highly sought-after. Some of the industry meetings at which Sommer’s subject matter experts have shared their points of view include:

  • 2021 Intellus Worldwide Summit – Presented Session
  • 2020 Intellus Worldwide Summit – Presented Session
  • 2018 Intellus Worldwide Institute – Moderated Speaker Panel
  • 2017 PMRG Connect meeting – Presented Session
  • 2017 IHA Health Literacy Conference – Presented Research Poster
  • 2016 IHA Health Literacy Conference – Presented Research Poster
  • 2016 MRA’s Insights & Strategies Conference – Presented Breakout Session
  • 2015 PMRG Institute – Led Round Table Discussion
  • 2014 PMRG Institute (Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group) – Presented Keynote Session
  • 2008 GlaxoSmithKline Investigator Meeting – Presented Clinical Trial Patient Recruitment Strategy
  • 2000 SER 3rd Annual Meeting – Presented Session
  • 1999 18th Annual Epidemiological Research Exchange – Presented Session
Current & Past Associations
  • Executive Board Member – IHLA (International Health Literacy Association)
  • Board Member, Cardiac Center Board of Visitors – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Chair, Practice Standards Committee – IHLA (International Health Literacy Association)
  • Chair, Health Literacy in Market Research Interest Group – IHLA (International Health Literacy Association)
  • Chair, Training Subcommittee, Health Literacy Initiative – PMRG (Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group)
  • Appointed Member, Standing Committee on Professional Development – IHLA (International Health Literacy Association)
  • Member, Clear Health Communication Taskforce (formerly the Health Literacy Initiative) – Intellus Worldwide
  • Member, QRCA (Qualitative Research Consultants Association)
  • Member, ESOMAR (European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research)
  • Member, HBA (Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association)
  • Member, Council of Affiliates – IHLA (International Health Literacy Association)
  • Member, Council of Divisions and Interest Groups – IHLA (International Health Literacy Association)
Current & Past Patient Partners